ben van Berkel and his architecture practice, UNStudio, have won a design competition to create four high-rise towers in Frankfurt, Germany, for a high-profile mixed-use project designed to “invigorate the city.”

The winning concept visualises a new urban quarter formed of two office towers and two residential towers sat atop a vast plinth, which will house hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and open public spaces. The complex is to be located on the site of the city’s former Deutsche Bank building.

A key aim of UNStudio’s proposal was to open up the site towards the city centre and financial district while integrating the listed building façades in the adjacent Junghofstraße. Their design incorporates new connecting routes, passages, squares and roof gardens to enliven the area.

“Bringing a mixed-use project into this financial district will not only enliven the area during daytime, but it will also introduce evening programmes and create an essential form of social sustainability to this part of the city,” said van Berkel.

“The introduction of the residential and the leisure components are key to this strategy. This sculptural family of towers will also create the suggestion of a cohesive neighbourhood within the skyline and emphasise the importance of this part of the city within the whole.”

Two of the sculptural towers will rise up to 228m in height, making them the highest residential and office buildings in Frankfurt. The former will contain 600 apartments.

The four towers will frame a central public square. According to the studio, “the differentiation of the orientation and heights of the buildings articulates variations within the skyline and optimises daylight penetration, and their subtle kinks and shifts create unique spatial and visual relationships.”

UN Studio’s proposal was selected as the winner in the competition for the urban development of the area, which was organised by the owners of the site, Groß & Partner. The successful proposal will form the basis for the amendment of the city's development plan.

More details on the concept for the district and the announcement of the project’s name will be revealed in May 2016.

The start of construction of the new district is expected within the next twelve months, while the first building is slated to be in use by 2020.